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231 Responses to “Photos: ‘Christmas in Washington’ with the Obamas”

Yes, thanks for the pictures. I’ll be coming back for more.I ‘m disappointed we can’t see the program till it comes on TNT. Why does TNT have to be so much different from PBS, the Christmas Tree lighting will be shown on PBS, but we still watch that on the computer.

Yeah she really is. She’s worn two Gold Michael Kors outfits. I see she dug into her closet again for this dress and her closet is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S. The whole family looks gorgeous and the elves are the cutest.

It’s ok, I’d leave it – he probably will appreciate being thought of as “normal” – you know how cruel other kids can sometimes be. He’s too young now, but sometime in elementary school, there will be some meanie. Our area was beyond white and I remember Irene, a smart and wonderful friend who was (and is) Jewish. Some kids were horrible, so I took her under my wing – even went to the principal about all the bullying. And this was in the 50s! I must have been born with that Democratic gene.

I don’ t think you should feel stupid at all. I thought he was making a cool face at first then I noticed the other pics . I just didn’t want people that don’ t know you to think you were being insensitive because we know that is the furthest thing from you.

Filibusters in the US Senate have become the parliamentary maneuver everyone loves to hate. The technique may be losing its luster, but is it unconstitutional?

A federal court in Washington on Monday takes up a legal challenge to the Senate filibuster brought by four House Democrats and the political reform group Common Cause, which calls the procedure “an accident of history, not included in the Constitution and never contemplated by its drafters.”

Interesting development. Would be fascinating if this form of obstructionism were unconstitutional. I’m sure it was intended as a tool to given minority views a voice. But only a crazed Republican mind could turn that kind of tool into a bludgeon, used repeatedly to beat the majority. Hope it goes down on two fronts–the courts and from Harry Reid.

There’s this pathetic black chic by the name of Crystal Wright on C-span. She’s got her head so far up her…. Never heard of her and sorry I came across her. She’s cute, though. What a shame. Back to football.

“A glutton for punishment, Mr. Bush insisted on another rematch in 2008. But it will be a three-peat for me: as of today, his total is 40 volumes to my 64. His reading this year included a heavy dose of history — including David Halberstam’s “The Coldest Winter,” Rick Atkinson’s “Day of Battle,” Hugh Thomas’s “Spanish Civil War,” Stephen W. Sears’s “Gettysburg” and David King’s “Vienna 1814.” There’s also plenty of biography — including U.S. Grant’s “Personal Memoirs”; Jon Meacham’s “American Lion”; James M. McPherson’s “Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief” and Jacobo Timerman’s “Prisoner Without a Name, Cell Without a Number.””

And I guess he may very well be a big reader. But then it’s Karl Rove. So I leave it to you.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I spent the weekend in Atlantic City, NJ with cousins and other family celebrating one of my dearest Aunt’s 80th birthday. Let me just say that the Casinos are making a remarkable recovery up in Jersey from Hurricane Sandy.

The Christmas in Washington pictures of our First Family are wonderful. I am so looking forward to watching the broadcast of this event later this month.

“They spotted Mitt Romney at Costco. One day you’re running for president f the United States. The next day you’re shopping at Costco for giant jugs of mayonnaise. While you’re at Costco, go ahead and return that Oval rug you ordered” – David Letterman

“Mitt Romney got a job at a Marriott hotel. President Obama’s trying to stop us from going over the fiscal cliff. Mitt Romney is trying to stop people from stealing towels.” – David Letterman

It may be that our dear and esteemed Nelson Mandela is making his way out of this world.
I don’t know anything for sure, except for a report that he has stopped talking.
We can stay present to his spirit. xoxoxo

I am keeping my fingers crossed for a Mandela recovery – although I last read when he was hospitalized.

I am so hoping that Pres Mandela would be around for a while longer so that PBO could visit him as POTUS – what a symbol they would make to those who treasure both. All PBO’s previous trips to SA were before being POTUS and since then the one trip was interrupted by world events

At least I am glad that FLOTUS and the girls got a chance to visit when he was still well enough to meet with them and appreciate their company. Realistically, it may no longer be possible for a POTUS visit, but you never know. Fingers crossed.

A young single guy is on a cruise ship, having the time of his life. On the second day of the cruise, the ship slams into an iceberg and begins to sink. Passengers around him are screaming, flailing, and drowning but our guy manages to grab on to a piece of driftwood and, using every last ounce of strength, swims a few miles through the shark-infested sea to a remote island.

Sprawled on the shore nearly passed out from exhaustion, he turns his head and sees a woman lying near him, unconscious, barely breathing. She’s also managed to wash up on shore from the sinking ship. He makes his way to her, and with some mouth-to-mouth assistance he manages to get her breathing again. She looks up at him, wide-eyed and grateful and says, “My God, you saved my life!”

He suddenly realizes the woman is Cindy Crawford!

Days and weeks go by. Cindy and our guy are living on the island together. They’ve set up a hut, there’s fruit on the trees, and they’re in heaven. Cindy’s fallen madly in love with our man, and they’re making passionate love morning, noon and night.

Alas, one day she notices he’s looking kind of glum. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?” she asks, “We have a wonderful life together, I’m in love with you. Is there something wrong? Is there anything I can do?”

He says, “Actually, Cindy, there is. Would you mind, putting on my shirt?”

“Sure,” she says, “if it will help.” He takes off his shirt and she puts it on.

“Now would you put on my pants?” he asks.

“Sure, honey, if it’s really going to make you feel better,” she says.

“Okay, would you put on my hat now, and draw a little mustache on your face?” he asks.

“Whatever you want, sweetie,” she says, and does.

Then he says, “Now, would you start walking around the edge of the island?”

She starts walking around the perimeter of the island. He sets off in the other direction. They meet up half way around the island a few minutes later. He rushes up to her, grabs her by the shoulders, and says, “Dude! You’ll never believe who I’m sleeping with!”

/Warning. This joke will be repeated whenever I feel like ‘cos it so good.

Actually, I think he apologized for singing that he wanted Americans to die, slowly and painfully. He said he was younger ad more emotional then, and has now realized that one has to think carefully about the words one uses, even though free speech is available to all. It seemed like a heartfelt apology.

‘ “As a proud South Korean who was educated in the United States and lived there for a very significant part of my life, I understand the sacrifices American servicemen and women have made to protect freedom and democracy in my country and around the world. The song I was featured in – eight years ago – was part of a deeply emotional reaction to the war in Iraq and the killing of two Korean schoolgirls that was part of the overall antiwar sentiment shared by others around the world at that time. While I’m grateful for the freedom to express one’s self, I’ve learned there are limits to what language is appropriate and I’m deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted. I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused by those words.”

“I have been honored to perform in front of American soldiers in recent months – including an appearance on the Jay Leno show specifically for them- and I hope they and all Americans can accept my apology. While it’s important that we express our opinions, I deeply regret the inflammatory and inappropriate language I used to do so. In my music, I try to give people a release, a reason to smile. I have learned that thru music, our universal language we can all come together as a culture of humanity and I hope that you will accept my apology.” ‘

and here’s the rap in question:

‘ Kill those f****** Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives

Kill those f****** Yankees who ordered them to torture

Kill their daughters, mothers, daughter-in-law and fathers

Kill them all slowly and painfully ‘

‘ As many have noted, it’s important to remember the context here: the protest concert came shortly after two middle school girls in Korea were killed after they were struck by an armored vehicle operated by U.S. soldiers (the soldiers were later acquitted of charges related to their deaths). And the 2004 rap came in the wake of the beheading death of a Korean missionary in Iraq, after South Korea rejected the kidnappers’ demands that it withdraw its troops. ‘

President Barack Obama, third from left, with his daughters Malia Obama, from left, and Sasha Obama, join host, from third right to right, Conan O’Brien, singer Megan Hilty, South Korean rapper PSY and other performers, during the Annual Christmas in Washington presentation at the National Building Museum in Washington

LOL! Methinks TNT will be editing out that part. I can’t imagine what would make the guy wince like that on stage in the middle of a Christmas carol. It must’ve been something physical and unavoidable, like a sharp pinpoint headache, nerve pain, or such…

Personally, I’m always happy when I see the President doing fun stuff during his workday. With the amount of stress he’s under on any given day, it’s amazing that he’s able to so effectively compartmentalize his day. He’s only human, after all.

So, I’m watching Sunday Night Football. And it’s snowing in Green Bay. But is the snow sticking to the ground? Noooooooooo. They have some fancy Nancy heaters that keep the snow from sticking. I’m pretty sure that’s unconstitutional. I’m joining the Tea Party!

I’m just hoping they get to do a lot more travelling with their parents (under the watchful eyes of the Secret Service) over these next four years. Nothing offers a better education and connection to others than seeing different cultures and people.

Well, good luck to him – past performances suggest he’ll prepare himself well.
And you, keep your nose out of the joke pot while working in Z, so that you don’t offend anyone with a temper. You might be a ‘troublemaker’ but you are ours and we don’t want to have to come bail you out.

The Afghan government is pursuing an ambitious new peace initiative in which Pakistan would replace the United States in arranging direct talks between the warring sides and the Taliban would be granted government posts that effectively could cede to them political control of their southern and eastern strongholds.

If implemented, the plan would diminish the role of the United States in the peace process, but would still leave Washington with input on a number of critical issues, including the terms for initiating negotiations. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Great Britain also would be involved.

The plan envisions ending the war by 2015 through a ceasefire and negotiations in the second half of next year, most likely in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan would help select the leaders of the Taliban and other rebel groups who would take part in the negotiations with the Afghan government. The effort, the plan says, should be conducted “through one consistent and coherent channel,” a measure that would secure a role for Afghan President Hamid Karzai after the end of his term following April 2014 elections.

Another provision would give the insurgents a voice on “issues related . . . to the withdrawal” of the U.S.-led NATO force by the end of 2014.

The plan foresees the United States working with Kabul and Islamabad in determining which insurgent leaders would participate. The United States also would be critical to approving the removal of the insurgent negotiators from the U.N.’s list of terrorists.

Entitled “Peace Process Roadmap to 2015,” the blueprint represents a decision by Karzai – in close coordination with Pakistan – to assume the lead in peace-making efforts following the collapse earlier this year of an Obama administration bid to persuade the Taliban to participate in direct talks with Kabul.

The News is turning a stupid op Ed about Zero Dark Thirty into a discussion on Torture and how waterboarding led to the killing of OBL.
So, the way it is now being framed, Tirrure is GREAT, waterboarding and sleep deprivation awesome, drone strikes under this President only horrible, and the suspension of Habeus Corpus under Lincoln horrible. But Tirture is Great.
WTF? Do they know how ridiculous they sound?
The issue is not if Torture sometimes gives you correct information, because it does, but if their are better ways of extracting intel. You know Human Rights issues come to mind.
And btw, you just knew the Republucans were going to find someway to take credit for OBL. Torture is the new buzzword of the Morning. (talk about suspending Habeus Corpus to the means justify the ends)?

German automaker Daimler will announce on Monday increased investment in a Michigan plant during President Obama’s visit to the facility, the Detroit Free Press reported:

The White House said the investment is expected to be $100 million or more and, with it, Daimler Trucks North America will become the first heavy-duty vehicle equipment manufacturer on the continent to build a fully integrated powertrain from on production facility.
🙂 Happy Monday!

But but but no raising the debt limit unless you cough cough reform Medicare and shut down all the national parks and get rid of food inspectors allow fracking to infect our water supply get rid of the EPA and Dept of energy allow Meecury from our Power plants to infect our air and dud I mention get rid of Big Bird?
Do they realize how ridiculous they sound? These negotiations have everything to do with the debt ceiling otherwise a deal would have been struck by now!

When I hear some people,or the media talk about how messed up Washington is, it is not Washington, it’s does dam crazy ass Republicans. The debt ceiling has never had any trouble being raise before, till these crazy ass Republicans got in town. And the media knows this is not the same Republicans of old.

Hey Amk, I’ve pushed my time to the limit – gotta run now, so give Ms Chips, and birthday girl, Pamela two hugs each for me. And try to deliver Chips’ hugs without any lip – in other words, play nice! Yeah, yeah it’s hard for you, but you’ve got to try. Here’s your example….just pass it on!

For a minute I thought—-oh isn’t that nice that the Today Show is covering the holiday concert last night with the Obamas? But of course the only reason was to show President Obama with PSY and post in bold his every anti-American utterance. (some of it is pretty sick)

Did they let viewers know that the performers for this concert are NOT selected by the President or the WH? Did they also give the context under which PSY made those remarks almost 10 years ago after 2 Korean schoolgirls were killed by a US war vehicle? Did they show the apology he made? I’m willing to bet that the answer to all my questions is “no.” And this is what I mean when I say that the media is part of a disinformation campaign.